The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1887-03-11
washington.
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tFrsm our regular corrssponasnt.l
WAsnINaros, Fab. lslh, Iss7.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, 1887.
Congress has given It's attention to
q vast amount Of miscellaneous mat
ter during theEpresent week, such -
the Texas Ku-klux investigation,
money for rivers aud harbors, retalla-
tlon towards Canada and the trade
dollar, but the most interesting debate
occurred Ia the Senate over the bill
providing for the increase Of the naval
establishment.
The Senate voted for the building
of ten new cruIsers. Senator Maxey,
OF Texas, was not only 10 favor OF
building war vessels, but OF fortlfyIng
every seaport In the country. He
knew that II was going 10 cost mon-
ey, but he said II there was any force
In the maxlum 0'ln time OF peace
prepare for war;" this was the time
to put II In practice, when the Treas
ury was overAowlng and when the
money was being absolutely wasted.
Senator Buller,of 8. Carolina, want.
cd the vessels 10 DO heavily armored.
Mr.. Hale Insisted that the pending
bill confined the new vessels strictly
to defensive, not aggressive purposes.
He was for defensive purposes first,
aud after that, II armored ships were
desired, he would favor them. The
two features on which Congress was
now proceeding were the fast cruisers
(makIng II dangerous for other na-
tIons TO engage In war with the
United States, because their COM
merce would be the prey OF the cruIs-
ers) and the coast defenses TO prevent
foreign fleets from bombardlng the
great cities OF the United States.
Senator ingalls, expressed the be-
lief that the floating batteries provid-
ed for Ia the bill would be practically
useless. The Senate had been, with.
10 the past few weeks appFoprialine
millions on millions, not for tribute,
but for defense. Wealthy men whC
, did rot care how the money was t
60, had been doing this. He hopec
) that the Senate would pause In II
/. headlong career long enough to sc
some tangible information as 10 how
much money there was In the Treas
? ury, aud how long tho "Fountsin o
: Psciolus'' would afford the goldel
stream necessary 10 meet tho million
which tho Senate was so recklessl.
voting away.
Senator Dolph bad read 10 the Sen
ate newspaper clipping which de.
scribed M Imaginary attack on ant
destruction Of the city OF San Fran
cisco, by n hostile feet. Then b
daelt upon the present defenseIes
condition OF the United States ans
said Il was under heavy bond TO keel
the peace with ell the world ard thh
II would be- ct humilIating disad-
vantage Ia auy controversy.
When Senator Vest took the 1eol
no asked who was responsible for the
present dIsgraceful lack OF United
States Navy and sea-coast defenses.
He knew that he would be sthFash.
Ing old straw" but ne wanted to re-
mind the Senate aud tho country thai
there was not In the history Of the
civilized world psge OF mal-admln-
istration equal tJ that Of the Navy
Department OF the u. s. since 1865.
II was not tho fault OF Congress that
the country had no ships and no coast
defenses. II had appropriated since
the close OF the war, Eearly $500, 600, :
900 for naval purposes. II British
Minister should make such an exhibit
in parliament as the u. s. Navy De-
partment from 1865 to 1885, no would
be pursued ont OF MS place with exc
cratlons. The Senator believed that
II this session were. TO last much long
er, "Congress would put AladdIn's
lamp into the hands Of a receiver
The House Of Representatives has
made up Its mind 10 fight the. PresI-
dents veto Of the big Pauper Pension
bill, and the Senate, OF course, will do
the same. II is not believed, how
ever, that the veto can be ovarridden.
The Preeident's latest veto Is that
OF the Texas seed bill. 1t sppropri-
ated $40, 900 for seed corn and wheat
TO be distributed In the drouth strick-
en- region OF that State. It's advocates
made strong plea, bat the President
said in his message accompanying
the veto, "I do not believe that the
power and duty Of the general Gov
ernment ought to be extended to the
relief Of individual suffering which is
In no manner properly related to the